Jaguar XJR MOT pass rate and common problems
80.8% of 4,666 Jaguar XJR MOT tests pass.
At 80.8%, the XJR passes slightly less often than the average across all Jaguar models (85.1%).
The Jaguar XJR has a pass rate of 80.8%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Jaguar XJR?
This is the average across every Jaguar XJR in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Jaguar’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 92.1% at 3–6 years to 79.0% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 92.1% | 114 | 51,095 miles |
| 6–10 years | 89.9% | 487 | 53,176 miles |
| 10–15 years | 93.8% | 81 | 73,128 miles |
| 15+ years | 79.0% | 3,984 | 102,570 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Jaguar XJR
The most common reason the Jaguar XJR fails its MOT is suspension — present in 46.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 46.0% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Brakes | 37.5% | Excessively corroded |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 34.3% | Not working |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 23.2% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Body, chassis, structure | 18.2% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Tyres | 16.9% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 11.5% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 11.3% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.4% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.8% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Jaguar XJR: what to check
These checks follow the Jaguar XJR’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Jaguar XJR comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 93.8% to 79.0%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 84.4% down to 77.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 46.0% of failed Jaguar XJR MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 12.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 37.5% of failed Jaguar XJR MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 10.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 34.3% of failed Jaguar XJR MOTs. 12.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.8% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 23.2% of failed Jaguar XJR MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 6.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 18.2% of failed Jaguar XJR MOTs. 4.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 0.9% at 3–6 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Jaguar service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Jaguar models
- Jaguar XKR — 82.4% pass rate
- Jaguar XK8 — 79.2% pass rate
- Jaguar XJS — 83.0% pass rate
- Jaguar F-Pace Rdynamic — 92.4% pass rate
- Jaguar F-Pace R-Dynam — 93.7% pass rate
- Jaguar F-Pace R-Dynamic — 93.8% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Jaguar XJR?
- 80.8% of Jaguar XJR MOT tests pass, based on 4,666 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Jaguar XJR?
- The most common reason the Jaguar XJR fails its MOT is suspension — present in 46.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt".
- What are the common problems with the Jaguar XJR?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Jaguar XJR are suspension; brakes; lights and electrics. Rare on young cars, but 12.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Jaguar XJR?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; brakes; lights and electrics; exhaust, emissions and leaks; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Jaguar XJR's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Jaguar service history guide for how to check and keep one.